The UK's public agency for film, the Film Council and its inward investment arm, the British Film Commission (BFC) are undergoing a name change to provide a single, identifiable entity able to raise the industry profile, both at home and overseas.

From 13 May the Film Council is being renamed the UK Film Council and the former BFC will operate with a wider brief as the UK organisation's international arm, UK Film Council International.

The BFC, which co-ordinates the UK film industry's inward investment has been an integral part of the Film Council since its inception in April 2000. However, whilst the BFC has taken on a wider international role for the UK Film Council by handling export promotion activity, confusion over its separate name has resulted.

The name change does not affect the organisation's roles or staffing.

Both the Film Council and BFC websites are being combined and redeveloped to provide an improved service to users, but will continue to be accessible via their previous addresses, as well as via www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk